Day 6 - Zodiac Landing: Damoy Point
Damoy Point is a rocky headland on the west coast of Wiencke
Island, near the northern entrance to the natural harbor at Port Lockroy. It
was discovered and mapped by the French Antarctic expedition of 1903 led by
Charcot.
The point is rather unassuming and at first glance doesn’t
warrant a visit. However, it has a couple of hidden gems - two very
well-preserved expedition huts.
The first, known as Damoy Hut, was built in 1973 and was used by
the British Antarctic Survey as a summer air facility and a personnel transfer
station, but hasn’t been used since 1993.
The interior is in excellent condition and almost looks as if it
could be put back into use straight away. There are even tin cups hanging on
the kitchen wall as if ready to give travel-weary scientists a restoring cup of
tea!
Just outside Damoy Hut is a refuge built by Argentina in the
1950s. This is not open to visitors and is still in use as an emergency refuge
should the need ever arise.
Apart from these historic buildings, visitors will see a small
colony of Gentoo penguins who breed here, as well as plenty of seals and sea
birds.
A well-preserved hut
containing scientific equipment and other artifacts stands at the point. It was
built in 1973 and used for several years as a British summer air facility and
transit station for scientific personnel. It was last occupied in 1993. It has
been designated a Historic
Site or Monument (HSM 84),
following a proposal by the United Kingdom to the Antarctic Treaty
Consultative Meeting.
More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damoy_Point
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